Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/158

 the shrouds and bobstay; moreover a vessel is greatly relieved by getting the weight of the bowsprit more inboard.

That a vessel should be in good trim is of especial importance when she is beating to windward against a heavy sea. It is essential then that her canvas should not only be well-balanced, but that it should be sufficiently reduced, so that she can be sailed ramping full, and be ever kept well under control; whereas if too much sail is carried she will have to be luffed up into every strong puff, when the seas will quickly deaden her way, and she will plunge and tumble about uneasily in the hollows between the waves, and probably get in irons. When an exceptionally big sea is seen rolling up, the vessel must be luffed up into it, so as to meet it end on, but as soon as it has passed one must bear away again and fill the sails. Unless one has been sailing full and keeping good way on her, one cannot perform this manœuvre properly, and with an over-*canvassed craft that has to be luffed up to puffs of wind as well as to seas, one will progress but slowly, and will make very bad weather of it.

When running before a heavy sea, the vessel, especially if she be a short beamy one, will exhibit a tendency to yaw about, and will require most careful steering. Now is the occasion for the helmsman to show his skill. With the novice at the helm the vessel will steer in the wildest fashion, now shooting up into the wind, now bearing right away till there